A graphic novel portrait of the wild antics and legendary poetry of the "Laughing Pair"—Han Shan and Shih Te, two of China's greatest poets."Here is a graphic-novel portrait of the wild antics and legendary poetry of two of China’s greatest poets. Han Shan (known as “Cold Mountain”) and Shih Te lived during the Tang dynasty (618–906 C.E.), and were critics of authority (both secular and religious) and champions of social justice. They left their poetry on tree trunks and rocks, and they were also reportedly monastics, drunks, cave dwellers, immortals, and many other unconventional and wondrous things. There is much delightful uncertainty about this “Laughing Pair”—including whether or not they actually even existed. What is known is that the poetry attributed to them was hugely influential in both China and Japan, and to the Beat writers in the United States during the 1950s and ’60s.

Acclaimed manga creator Sean Michael Wilson, along with illustrator Akiko Shimojima and expert translator J. P. Seaton, brings these renegade poets to life, revealing their humor and wackiness and also their penetrating insights into the human condition. "

“The poetry of the manga here expresses the poetry of this pair of ‘mad men’ of Cold Mountain. Read the wise verses of Han Shan and Shih Te and, like the sage, your face will also break into a great big smile.” - Paul Gravett, author ofComics Art and editor of 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die

"I have long been a huge fan of the poetry of Han Shan and this beautifully illustrated graphic novel does the poems and the mythology justice. Rather than try to fill in the gaps of what we don't know about these two, the book relies heavily on what we do, mostly gleaned from the poems, many of which are included. A good introduction for those unfamiliar, a nice take on the poems for those already knowledgeable. " - James, Goodreads

“Jerome Seaton is the finest living translator and explicator of Chinese poetry; beyond a genius for interpretation and impeccable scholarship. Seaton has that quality that can magically transcend intuition and learning: he is a poet.”—Carolyn Kizer, author of Cool, Calm, and Collected: Poems 1960–2000

We're number 1!The Cold Mountain graphic novel came out this week and soon became Number 1 on the 'Chinese Poetry' and 'Asian' sections on Amazon's Best Sellers list. And number 8 in total manga sales. That does not mean it's selling millions - but nice to see those good rankings anyway...

'I just nicked these two books' pose

Review of the film 'HANCOCK' by the legendary Gandry Macallan:" My enjoyment of this otherwise excellent film was somewhat marred by the fact that Tony - 'the lad himself' - did not appear anywhere in it!"

'Finger glued to the face' pose.

Review of the film 'INVASION' by the legendary Gandry Macallan:" My enjoyment of this otherwise excellent film was somewhat marred by the actual invasion of planet earth by aliens from the andromeda system - during the film, no less!"

'Wish i was oot playing fitba wi ma pals' pose.

Review of the musical 'RENT' by the legendary Gandry Macallan:" My enjoyment of this otherwise excellent musical was somewhat marred by the arrival of my landlord to collect 9 weeks over due rent on my small apartment in Notting hill - during the event, no less!"